To Love And To Fear

The Day Before Margarate's birthday.

Annabelle leaves work and heads to a cake store.

Annabelle: (Searching for a cake that best suits Margarate's taste) Her favorite color is white so I'll get her one then (grabs a white cake and heads for self checkout).

At Annabelle's Apartment

Clarissa and Eline who were busy playing video games notice Annabelle who had just walked in, holding a plastic bag.

Eline:(Runs and grabs the plastic bag from Annabelle, while she opens it) What's in the bag?. Oh (Realizing it's a cake, excited) Are we finally going to eat cake today?.

Annabelle: No, it's mom's birthday tomorrow. Remember?.

Eline and Clarissa:(Exclaims) Oh!.

Annabelle: She may be headstrong, but we should still celebrate with her no matter what. (To Eline) Put it in the freezer before it melts (lays down on the couch and gives a big sigh of relief).

The Next Day, Still at Annabelle's Apartment at around 6pm in the Evening.

Annabelle is decorating Margarate's cake while Clarissa and Eline decorate the walls by sticking flowers and birthday banners.

Clarissa: (To Annabelle) Are you sure she's going to come home early?.

Annabelle: I'm sure. I know her work schedule.

Eline: She could've taken off given it's her birthday.

Annabelle: She should be home any time soon.

Annabelle and her sisters wait for hours but Margarate doesn't seem to show up.

Annabelle: (The icing on the cake will melt at this rate. I should put it in the freezer). You girls can sleep if you feel tired. I'll wait up for her (Clarissa and Eline fall asleep on the couch while Annabelle places the cake back in the freezer. 30 minutes later she falls asleep as well).

The Next Morning

Annabelle wakes up, realizing Margarate had already left for work. She checks the fridge and notices someone had eaten a piece of Margarate's cake.

Annabelle: (Immediately goes to wake Clarissa and Eline) Did any of you eat the cake yesterday?.

Clarissa: (In a very slow and tiring voice) What do you mean?. I didn't even eat this morning.

Eline: Let us sleep in peace (goes back to sleep).

Annabelle: (Could it be mom ate it before going to work?) Whatever (lays back on the couch), I'm going back to sleep ( 5 minutes later, she falls asleep).

The Next Morning, Still at Annabelle's Apartment.

Annabelle sees off Clarissa and Eline as they rush into their school buses. Annabelle heads for school after making sure their bus leaves.

At the Community College. After School.

Annabelle: (Walking to the bus station when she receives a message from Margarate. She taps on the message to read. "I left some money in the drawer. Use that and add up to whatever you have to pay for the car. I ate part of the cake you bought. Thank you for thinking of me even on my birthday) Hah! (Breaths a sigh of relief while putting her phone away. She suddenly hears a voice calling her from a great distance. Turns to look behind and sees Harry). Harry?.

Harry: (Approaches her) Hi.

Annabelle: Hi. Are you heading home?.

Harry: I am. Are you also headed home?.

Annabelle: (Nodes with a smile and notices the bus arriving) The bus is here. Take care (runs and enters the bus and finds a perfect spot to sit. Surprised when Harry joins her). Since when did you start taking the bus?.

Harry: (Smiles awkwardly) Right now!. Is there a problem?.

Annabelle: No, but I don't think where you live requires you to take a bus.

Harry: Yes I know.

Annabelle: You know, but you're still going to take a bus?.

Harry: (Nodes with a smile. Annabelle stares at him weirdly. 10 minutes later Annabelle falls asleep facing the window. Harry smoothly places her head on his shoulder. His conscious mind, "She looks so pretty even when she sleeps". 5 minutes later Annabelle wakes up and notices she fell asleep on Harry's shoulder. She quickly sits up straight) You fell asleep. No need to feel shy.

Annabelle: (Smiles awkwardly) Very funny!. (Presses the stop button, indicating she is ready to get off the bus. The bus slowly stops and Annabelle stands up to leave) Bye!. (Walks out of the bus when Harry decides to follow her). Are you following me?.

Harry: (Not being truthful) No. I'm going to call an Uber right here. That way the fare will be shorter. (Stutters) I don't think...the bus is going my direction.

Annabelle: That's what I said from the beginning (so stupid). Bye!. (Starts walking away while turning to look back at Harry).

Harry: (Laughs) Cute!.

Later at night, At Diana's Place.

Harry's Bedroom

Harry: (While studying, he suddenly thinks about Annabelle and quickly grabs his phone to text her) Hey (erases) No. (Types again) Are you awake? (Erases) too cringy. (Types again) How are you? (Erases again). What am i doing?. (Lays his head on the table while pouting his lips and rolls his eyes).

The Next Day at Annabelle's Apartment.

Annabelle wakes up to the notification on her phone. She opens her phone and sees that her monthly paycheck has been deposited into her account.

Annabelle: (Sits up in excitement) Yes!. Finally I can get the car today. (Rushes to Margarate's drawer but she can't seem to find the money Margarate had left) Why isn't it here?. Why can't I find it (searches through thoroughly). It's suppose to be here. (Calls out to Clarissa and Eline) Clarissa, Eline!. Did anyone take the money I left in the drawer?.

Both: No we didn't.

Clarissa: We didn't even know there was money there to begin with.

Annabelle: (Slightly frustrated) Then who took it?. ( Margarate suddenly arrives and walks in) Mom, did you take back the money you left in the drawer?. I was suppose to go get the car today. Why would you take it without letting me know?.

Margarate: (Patiently) I brought the car back. It's parked outside.

Annabelle: (Surprised) What?.

Clarissa and Eline: Really? (they all run outside to see for themselves).

Annabelle: (Surprised, while inspecting the car) It really is my car!.

Clarissa: (Robbing her cheek on the car window) You look so different. It's like we haven't seen each other for ages.

Eline: (Hugging the car seat after she walks in) It's been ages.

Annabelle: (Suddenly feels like to celebrate) Girls!. We're going out.

At the Restaurant (7pm)

Annabelle and her sisters walk in. A waitress shows them to their table.

Annabelle: Thank you.

Waitress: My pleasure. (Giving them menus) When you're ready, just hit the bell and we'll come right away to serve you.

Annabelle: Thank you very much ( the waiter bows and then leaves).

Clarissa: (Looking through the menu) I want to eat everything on this list.

Eline: (swallowing saliva) Me too!.

30 minutes later, they're having dinner.

Clarissa: (Suddenly exclaims while enjoying the food) Delicious!. This is good.

Eline: (To Annabelle) But not as good as your cooking.

Annabelle: (smiles) Let's all take a quick picture. (Grabs her phone from the table, turns on the camera and they all pose with a peace sign when Annabelle captures a shot) There, I got it.

Clarissa: Let me see.

Eline: Me too (they both look at the picture but Clarissa doesn't seem to agree).

Clarissa: No, I look ugly here. Let's take another one.

Annabelle: Are you sure?. (Looks again) I think you look perfect.

Clarissa: That's because you keep looking at your face, not mine. Let's take another one. You can't post that.

Annabelle: Okay (They take another photo, again and again until Clarissa finally agrees).

At Diana's Place.

In Harry's bedroom.

Harry is scrolling through his Instagram news feed when he sees Annabelle's new post.

Harry: (With a loving smile, he taps a heart on her picture and then he screenshots) I'm going to put you as my wallpaper. (Immediately sets her picture as his wallpaper after cropping her sisters out. Suddenly exclaims) Beautiful!.